Rates & Billing

Natural gas delivery is a fully regulated service in Alberta. This means our costs and rates are reviewed and approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to ensure customers pay fair and appropriate costs. Our distribution charges are among the lowest in Canada.

The AUC also approves our Terms and Conditions, and our Code of Conduct Compliance Plans.

Natural Gas Rates

We work around the clock to make sure you have natural gas whenever you need it to heat your home, enjoy a hot shower or cook a meal for your family. The distribution charge on your bill covers our costs to provide this service to your home or business safely and reliably.

The Load Balancing Deferral Account Rider (Rider L) relates to the balancing of ATCO's Natural Gas Distribution system. A rider related to this can require a recovery of costs from customers or can result in a refund to customers from time to time, based on the rules established by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

The Transmission Service Charge collects from customers the costs for transmission service to its distribution system. The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved implementation of the charge to recover costs associated with transmission service.

The Weather Deferral Account was created to account for the effect of temperature fluctuations on billings to customers. Rider W is applied because the actual natural gas delivery revenue was lower (higher) than the normal natural gas delivery revenue, due to warmer (colder) than expected temperatures.

How Are You Billed?

You’re billed based on how much natural gas you use each period. We convert your meter readings into gigajoules (GJ), the unit of measurement for natural gas to determine your usage for each billing period. That number is provided to your energy retailer for billing purposes.

Variable charge is calculated based on the amount of natural gas you use and also helps cover the cost of maintaining the system.

Rate rider is an adjustment approved by the AUC, to recover costs or refund money for something that is temporary, or caused by factors outside of our control.

Municipal franchise fee is collected for the municipality for the exclusive right to provide gas distribution service to the residents and businesses located in the municipality as well as the right to use the municipality’s property for the construction, operation and extension of our gas distribution system.

Carbon levy is a fee we collect on behalf of the provincial government. It’s designed to encourage Albertans to be more energy efficient in their homes, businesses and communities. Visit climate.alberta.ca or call 310-0000 to learn more about the carbon levy.

Terms and Conditions

We value our relationships with customers and the retailers who supply energy in our service area. The Terms & Conditions outline how we do business with you, your rights and obligations, and our responsibilities.

We’re committed to being open, fair and transparent. It’s an ATCO core value and one we take very seriously. The way we work with other industry participants, including energy retailers and other ATCO companies, is governed by two codes of conduct. These codes set out the rules and standards we follow day in and day out in all of our dealings.

All customers are free to purchase natural gas services from the default supply provider or from a retailer of their choice and to purchase electricity services from the regulated rate provider or from a retailer of their choice. The delivery of natural gas and electricity to you is not affected by your choice. If you change who you purchase natural gas services or electricity services from, you will continue receiving natural gas and electricity from the distribution company in your service area. For a current list of retailers you may choose from, visit www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta). Some offers, in whole or in part, may not be available in gas co-ops, municipally-owned utilities, and some Rural Electrification Associations.